|
Big
plans afoot for city’s 800th birthday parade
THE people of
Liverpool are being asked to recount tall tales to help awaken a
giant for their 800th birthday. With just 6 weeks to go until
Liverpool 800 day, the Liverpool Culture Company has invited arts
company Strange Cargo to create a 15ft ‘giant’ to lead 1,500
performers in a spectacular, 2-hour long, birthday pageant.
And local communities are going to supply the myths, legends and
stories that will bring the giant to life on Tuesday, August 28.
Strange Cargo believe that every community is home to a slumbering
giant – all that’s needed is a physical body for it to inhabit.
The artists have set up camp at the massive horseshoe gallery in
World Museum Liverpool, and are appealing for members of the public
to attend special workshops this weekend to provide the local
background that will help them to create the giant’s form. An
existing giant will be on site to give people an idea of what will
eventually be produced. The workshops will be held on:-
Saturday, 21 July 2007:- 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Sunday, 22 July 2007:- 11am - 1pm
On Friday, August 3 there’ll also be a public open day from 12-3pm
when people will be able to suggest a name for the giant and see its
progress. The day, which is part of the city’s Children’s Festival,
also includes t-shirt design, papier mache demonstrations, twirler
making and a bead workshop.
Brigitte Orasinski, Director of Strange Cargo, said:- “The
people of Liverpool are its greatest resource and the opportunity
for Strange Cargo to work with such a culturally rich and diverse
community as this, to discover and awaken their Giant, is an
extremely exciting prospect”.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool city council and
deputy chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said:- “August
28 is in many ways the climax of 2007 – and we want the people of
Liverpool at the heart of the celebrations. The pageant will be one
of the major highlights of the day and these giant workshops are a
unique chance for people to help shape a new chapter in Liverpool’s
history.’’
Councillor Mike Storey, who is leading Liverpool’s 800th
celebrations, added:- “We’re expecting thousands of people to
enjoy the carnival atmosphere on August 28 and the Liverpool Giant
will play a pivotal role. We’re appealing for as many people as
possible to submit their ideas and memories in this weekend’s
workshops so that the giant really embodies the spirit of the city.”
The Liverpool Giant will be accompanied by several other new
characters on pageant day, including 2 ‘big heads’ who will
be the Giants constant companions. The Big Heads identities will
also emerge as a result suggestions that are made at the public
workshops. Similar projects around the UK have been based
around local celebrities – a parade in Margate featured a likeness
of renowned artist Tracey Emin, who was born in the town.
Helen Robinson, Community Consultation Co-ordinator at National
Museums Liverpool said:- "We are delighted to be working in
partnership with the Culture Company on such an exciting project. We
have the opportunity to create a fantastic giant with the character
and appearance developed from the many stories, legends and myths of
this great city and produced by the creative talents of various
community groups from across Liverpool.’’ |
Canal tours cruise to record numbers, despite weather
MERSEY
Ferries’ Manchester Ship Canal Cruises are proving more popular than
ever, despite incessant rain and poor weather so far this summer.
Demand for the cruises, one of the jewels in the Mersey Ferries
crown, is already up by more than 20 % compared to last year.
More than 13,000 tickets have been sold so far this year, compared
to 10,500 at the same time in 2006. Last year’s passenger
numbers smashed all previous records and expectations are that they
will cruise through the 16,000 barrier for the first time in 2007.
They are proving so popular that Merseytravel, which owns and
operates the cruises, has committed to extra cruises throughout the
year.
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “Despite
the rain and winds, we are still seeing higher demand for the
cruises than ever. That is very pleasing. The fact that they
are proving more popular, year on year, justifies our decision to
continue to invest in the ferries.”
Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel
added:- “The ferries business is incredibly important to us
and we’re delighted with the success of the cruises. We’ve spent
more than £40million in the last 10 years making improvements to the
3 ferries and the terminals, including new and exciting attractions.
The investment will continue.”
Cruises usually depart from Liverpool’s Pier Head on Saturday’s and
Salford Quays on Sundays. They take in the spectacular scenery
of the Manchester Ship Canal, leaving passengers with a sense of how
its construction shaped the region.
The 6 hour, 35 mile cruise
includes a live commentary giving an insight into the facts, history
and dramas of one of Britain’s most important waterways.
Mersey Ferries vessels carry passengers in comfortable modern
surroundings following their multi-million pound refits. The Ferries
have a bar and food is available to purchase in the lounge areas.
The cruise costs £32
per head (£30 for senior citizens), with a 10% discount for groups
of 20 or more, and includes bus transportation to take passengers
back to their starting point at the end of the cruise.
Tickets are only
available by advance booking.
Contact Mersey
Ferries on 0151 330 1444 or book
online.
|
